This project will be led by University of Arizona PhD Candidate Deandra Jones, with technical and logistical support from Navajo Nation Department of Fish and Wildlife (NNDFW). The project aims to assess the current status of the black bear population on the Navajo Nation to contribute to effective habitat management while preserving Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) and minimizing humanwildlife conflicts. By providing updated population data and habitat assessments, the project will guide conservation efforts to protect and restore critical habitats, thereby reducing losses to wildlife and their ecosystems. The study will involve conducting population surveys, collecting hair samples for DNA analysis, gathering TEK through interviews, and assessing human-bear conflicts via surveys. Hair collection will take place during the summers of 2024 and 2025. NNDFW is seeking proposals for two field crews to perform the following field work summer of 2025: 1. Travel to and establish base camps at remote locations across the Chuska-Carrizo Mountain Chain 2. Install 70+ hair-snare survey stations according to provided protocols 3. Check and maintain snare stations throughout 5 separate survey periods; submit all hair samples to Deandra Jones upon collection 4. Remove all materials upon completion of each grid’s sampling period 5. Work in coordination with NNDFW biologists and follow safety and data collection protocols
